When does a vessel officially have a name? If an owner has not gone thru an official naming ceremony, then does the boat not have a name? Does she a have a name as soon as she is commonly referred to by it? Or does it simple need to be affixed to her sterns or bows?
Are you talking legally, or in the eyes of Poseidon?
Legally, there's no requirement for vessels in Maryland that I know of.
If you have a vessel documented with the Coast Guard, the name is registered and must appear on the boat according to regulations.
The boat must be at least 27 feet in length or be commercial to be eligable for being documented.
So, the only things you have to abide by is your personal taste and making sure Poseidon is happy.
In general, just start calling the boat what you want to call it, paint the name on or not.
Poseidon may see through that and give you bad luck, so do the research and find one of the many ceremonies people have come up with to appease. And be careful the name you choose so as not invite the bad luck (or scorn...).
Just be sure to put the name on the back of the boat so I can read it as you go by. The name of my boat is between my index finger and the one next to my pinky, just read between the lines Chris. Anyway, I'm real busy here at work, too busy to be reading the forum, unlike you.
And Kieth, don't humor him. He just gets worse. Ed
Now that there was Relentless Bastard style Lucky Duck! Nice job! I’ve finally wore you down to me level. You do know that I will never forgive you for teaching both of my kids how to drive a powerboat. 
I was working on the attachment until I changed teams. May, on occasion sail as Relentless Bastards II.
Dude, rack up them overtime hours! Fear the Duck.
Great graphics Chris. They would look real good at the Statue race in NYC, eh?
Can I double stack on your A-Class? Oh yeah, and then get a custom hitch on the Cobra and let you drive them both up there! Lookout EZPass Express lanes, Duck coming thru.
Incidentally, I have had several discussions lately with co-workers that have been touting toll roads as the answer. With you in mind, I’ve been sending them away with “If you gonna make me pay twice to use the road, then I wanna be able to go 150 and I want you the hell out of the way!” That usually make them go away!
Drink up!
Now I don't know what kinda critters you got up there in Yankee Land, but that picture is damn sure NOT of a duck, it's a heron or an egret with a frog in its mouth.
I am from Louisiana, I've seen such things my own self, heard the frog cussin' and everything.
Kewl, nevertheless 😉
sea ya
tami
ps. Here's the link for a good naming ceremony:
http:/
And another one.
http:/
Tami We're not ALL crazy up here where the air is rare, just Chris. He's referring to my boat which is the Lucky Duck. The graphics are of a duck with a broken wing, broken leg and a few bullet holes close by. Jake & Bonnie did a great job on the complete graphics package, start to finish. Jake if you have the file handy go ahead and post it, I don't have it on this machine.
Do names stay with boats or do they stay with owners?
I have had 4 cats, same name.
Breakin Wind IV
As far as I'm concerned, my boat was named the moment I put the sticker on the side 
Tiger Mike
its getting more and more difficult to find a virgin to pee on the bows these days.
I'm down here pitching in with the Alter Cup in Pensacola, FL this week...be glad to put up an image when I get back next week (if someone will remind me!).
Jake, found it! Thanks
I know this forum is a catamaran forum... I sail my P16 all the time, but I'm a cruiser as well, and this topic applies...
I bought a boat from e-bay, a 25' monohull sailboat. There was no name painted on her, and the guy I bought it from was a broker, so he had no documentation that indicated a name for her.
Basically, I have no clue if/what her previous name is/was... I want to name her, do I need to "de-name" her first? If so, how?
--J 
The attached is an example of a boat naming gone wrong.
That is MOST excelent!!!
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Mike:
If it's really, really, good champagne, is it ok to strain it through your kidneys first? 
If it's really, really, good champagne, is it ok to strain it through your kidneys first?
Aparently only if you are a virgin...
There was a married couple, Tom and Ruth, who campaigned a 505 for a number of years. The old boat was showing signs of wear and Tom decided it was time to buy a new boat. While discussing the new boat with his wife, Ruth brought up the fact that their constant racing was also wearing on their marriage.
After talking about it, they both decided that it would be in the best interests of their marriage if Ruth crew for someone else and Tom find a new crew.
The new boat finally arrived and when Tom and his new crew brought it to the first regatta of the year all the other 505 skippers gathered around to check it out. On the stern, they observed, Tom had named his new boat Ruthless.
thats pretty good hobie 1616. I have also named my boat, I named it high society, actually it was my partners idea, and once he said the name it was just like perfect.. so we had the decals made and put them on the outside rear of each hull, it looks great, and we get alot of comments and remarks wharever we go. so hats off to all who have a name for ther cat! and cheers to those who actually display it!!
regards,
Darrell